1976–77 New England Whalers season

1976–77 New England Whalers
Division	4th Eastern
1976–77 record	35–40–6
Goals for	275
Goals against	290
Team Information
General Manager	Ron Ryan
Coach	Harry Neale
Captain	Rick Ley
Alternate captains	Brad Selwood Larry Pleau
Arena	Hartford Civic Center
Team Leaders
Goals	George Lyle (39)
Assists	Mike Rogers (57)
Points	Tom Webster (85)
Penalties in minutes	Gordie Roberts (102)
Wins	Christer Abrahamsson (15)
Goals against average	Cap Raeder (3.12)

<1975–76

1977–78>

The 1976–77 New England Whalers season was the 5th season of the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Whalers finished 4th in the Eastern Division and lost in the Quarter-finals to the Quebec Nordiques 4 games to 1.

Off-season

The Whalers jerseys were the same design as in the 1974-75 season.

Regular Season

Final Standings

Eastern Division	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Quebec Nordiques	81	47	31	3	353	295	97
Cincinnati Stingers	81	39	37	5	354	303	83
Indianapolis Racers	81	36	37	8	276	305	80
New England Whalers	81	35	40	6	275	290	76
Birmingham Bulls	81	31	46	4	289	309	66
Minnesota Fighting Saints+	42	19	18	5	136	129	43

+Team disbanded after 42 games.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Game Log

Regular Season Results
No.	R	Date	Score	Opponent	Record
1	L	October 8, 1976	0–2	@ Edmonton Oilers (1976–77)	0–1–0
2	L	October 10, 1976	2–5	@ Winnipeg Jets (1976–77)	0–2–0
3	L	October 16, 1976	2–8	Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	0–3–0
4	T	October 19, 1976	4–4	@ Houston Aeros (1976–77)	0–3–1
5	W	October 22, 1976	5–2	Houston Aeros (1976–77)	1–3–1
6	W	October 23, 1976	5–4	Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	2–3–1
7	L	October 26, 1976	0–1	Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	2–4–1
8	W	October 29, 1976	5–1	Phoenix Roadrunners (1976–77)	3–4–1
9	W	October 30, 1976	5–4	Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	4–4–1
10	W	November 5, 1976	4–3	@ Edmonton Oilers (1976–77)	5–4–1
11	L	November 7, 1976	2–4	@ Calgary Cowboys (1976–77)	5–5–1
12	L	November 9, 1976	4–5 OT	@ Winnipeg Jets (1976–77)	5–6–1
13	T	November 11, 1976	3–3	@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1976–77)	5–6–2
14	L	November 12, 1976	1–3	@ Phoenix Roadrunners (1976–77)	5–7–2
15	W	November 16, 1976	5–4	@ Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	6–7–2
16	W	November 17, 1976	6–4	Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	7–7–2
17	L	November 19, 1976	3–7	Winnipeg Jets (1976–77)	7–8–2
18	T	November 20, 1976	3–3	Minnesota Fighting Saints (1976–77)	7–8–3
19	L	November 23, 1976	3–4	@ Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	7–9–3
20	W	November 25, 1976	5–3	@ Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	8–9–3
21	L	November 27, 1976	1–3	Minnesota Fighting Saints (1976–77)	8–10–3
22	L	November 28, 1976	3–4	Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	8–11–3
23	L	November 30, 1976	1–2	@ Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	8–12–3
24	W	December 1, 1976	8–4	Calgary Cowboys (1976–77)	9–12–3
25	T	December 3, 1976	5–5	Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	9–12–4
26	L	December 4, 1976	2–6	Winnipeg Jets (1976–77)	9–13–4
27	L	December 7, 1976	2–4	@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1976–77)	9–14–4
28	W	December 8, 1976	5–1	Houston Aeros (1976–77)	10–14–4
29	W	December 11, 1976	3–2	San Diego Mariners (1976–77)	11–14–4
30	L	December 12, 1976	1–5	@ Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	11–15–4
31	W	December 14, 1976	3–1	@ Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	12–15–4
32	L	December 17, 1976	4–5 OT	Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	12–16–4
33	W	December 18, 1976	6–2	Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	13–16–4
34	L	December 21, 1976	0–4	@ Houston Aeros (1976–77)	13–17–4
35	W	December 23, 1976	5–3	@ San Diego Mariners (1976–77)	14–17–4
36	W	December 26, 1976	3–2	Minnesota Fighting Saints (1976–77)	15–17–4
37	L	December 28, 1976	4–5	@ Minnesota Fighting Saints (1976–77)	15–18–4
38	W	December 30, 1976	6–4	@ Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	16–18–4
39	W	January 2, 1977	3–2	Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	17–18–4
40	L	January 4, 1977	3–5	@ Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	17–19–4
41	L	January 5, 1977	1–2	San Diego Mariners (1976–77)	17–20–4
42	L	January 7, 1977	3–7	Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	17–21–4
43	L	January 8, 1977	3–4	Phoenix Roadrunners (1976–77)	17–22–4
44	L	January 11, 1977	2–8	@ Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	17–23–4
45	L	January 13, 1977	1–4	@ Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	17–24–4
46	L	January 14, 1977	3–5	Edmonton Oilers (1976–77)	17–25–4
47	L	January 20, 1977	4–5	Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	17–26–4
48	T	January 22, 1977	3–3	Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	17–26–5
49	W	January 23, 1977	4–3 OT	Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	18–26–5
50	L	January 25, 1977	2–4	@ Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	18–27–5
51	W	January 27, 1977	5–3	@ San Diego Mariners (1976–77)	19–27–5
52	W	January 28, 1977	6–2	@ Phoenix Roadrunners (1976–77)	20–27–5
53	L	January 30, 1977	0–5	@ Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	20–28–5
54	L	February 1, 1977	3–4	@ Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	20–29–5
55	L	February 4, 1977	1–4	@ Houston Aeros (1976–77)	20–30–5
56	L	February 5, 1977	3–8	@ Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	20–31–5
57	T	February 6, 1977	5–5	Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	20–31–6
58	W	February 10, 1977	6–3	Winnipeg Jets (1976–77)	21–31–6
59	L	February 12, 1977	1–5	Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	21–32–6
60	W	February 13, 1977	5–4	@ Cincinnati Stingers (1976–77)	22–32–6
61	W	February 17, 1977	4–2	Phoenix Roadrunners (1976–77)	23–32–6
62	L	February 18, 1977	2–3	Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	23–33–6
63	W	February 20, 1977	5–0	@ Calgary Cowboys (1976–77)	24–33–6
64	L	February 22, 1977	3–4	@ Edmonton Oilers (1976–77)	24–34–6
65	W	February 25, 1977	3–2	@ Calgary Cowboys (1976–77)	25–34–6
66	W	February 27, 1977	3–2	@ Winnipeg Jets (1976–77)	26–34–6
67	W	March 2, 1977	2–0	San Diego Mariners (1976–77)	27–34–6
68	W	March 4, 1977	3–2	Houston Aeros (1976–77)	28–34–6
69	W	March 6, 1977	6–2	Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	29–34–6
70	L	March 9, 1977	3–4 OT	@ Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	29–35–6
71	L	March 11, 1977	3–6	@ Birmingham Bulls (1976–77)	29–36–6
72	L	March 13, 1977	3–5	@ Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	29–37–6
73	W	March 18, 1977	3–1	Calgary Cowboys (1976–77)	30–37–6
74	W	March 20, 1977	9–0	Calgary Cowboys (1976–77)	31–37–6
75	L	March 24, 1977	4–5	Edmonton Oilers (1976–77)	31–38–6
76	L	March 26, 1977	2–4	Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	31–39–6
77	W	March 27, 1977	5–2	Edmonton Oilers (1976–77)	32–39–6
78	W	March 29, 1977	5–4	@ San Diego Mariners (1976–77)	33–39–6
79	W	March 31, 1977	6–2	@ Phoenix Roadrunners (1976–77)	34–39–6
80	W	April 2, 1977	3–2 OT	@ Indianapolis Racers (1976–77)	35–39–6
81	L	April 5, 1977	2–7	@ Quebec Nordiques (1976–77)	35–40–6

Playoffs

The Nordiques defeated the Whalers 4–1 and would go on to win the league championship.

Quebec Nordiques 4, New England Whalers 1

Game	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	Series
1	April 9	New England Whalers	2–5	Quebec Nordiques	0–1
2	April 12	New England Whalers	3–7	Quebec Nordiques	0–2
3	April 14	Quebec Nordiques	4 – 3 OT	New England Whalers	0–3
4	April 16	Quebec Nordiques	4–6	New England Whalers	1–3
5	April 19	New England Whalers	0–3	Quebec Nordiques	1–4

Player Stats

Skaters

Note: GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties In Minutes

#	Player	Regular Season					Playoffs
		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
8	Tom Webster	70	36	49	85	43	5	1	1	2	0
17	Mike Rogers	78	25	57	82	10	5	1	1	2	2
16	George Lyle	75	39	33	72	62	5	1	0	1	4
9	Ralph Backstrom	77	17	31	48	30	3	0	0	0	0
7	Gordie Roberts	77	13	33	46	169	5	2	2	4	2
15	Dave Keon	34	14	25	39	8	5	3	1	4	0
4	Larry Pleau	78	11	21	32	22	5	1	0	1	0
19	John McKenzie	34	11	19	30	25	5	2	1	3	8
6	Thommy Abrahamsson	64	6	24	30	33	5	0	3	3	0
27	Tommy Earl	54	9	14	23	37	1	0	0	0	0
2	Rick Ley	55	2	21	23	102	5	0	4	4	4
10	Alan Hangsleben	74	13	9	22	79	4	0	0	0	9
19	Danny Arndt	46	8	14	22	11	—	—	—	—	—
12	Mike Antonovich	26	12	9	21	10	5	2	2	4	4
14	Doug Roberts	64	3	18	21	22	2	0	0	0	0
12	Gary MacGregor	30	8	8	16	4	—	—	—	—	—
22	Brett Callighen	33	6	10	16	41	—	—	—	—	—
3	Brad Selwood	41	4	12	16	71	5	0	0	0	2
26	Steve Carlson	31	4	9	13	40	5	0	0	0	9
23	Jack Carlson	35	7	5	12	81	5	1	1	2	9
21	Dan Bolduc	33	8	3	11	15	—	—	—	—	—
5	Ron Busniuk	55	1	9	10	141	—	—	—	—	—
11	Dave Hynes	22	5	4	9	4	—	—	—	—	—
22	Bill Butters	26	1	8	9	65	5	0	1	1	15
12	Rosaire Paiement	13	5	2	7	12	—	—	—	—	—
20	Gary Swain	26	5	2	7	6	2	0	0	0	0
24	Dale Smedsmo	15	2	0	2	54	—	—	—	—	—
1	Christer Abrahamsson	45	0	1	1	2	2	0	0	0	0
24	Dave Hanson	1	0	0	0	9	1	0	0	0	0
	Ron Climie	3	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
25	Jim Troy	7	0	0	0	7	—	—	—	—	—
35	Cap Raeder	23	0	0	0	4	3	0	1	1	0
30	Bruce Landon	26	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0

Statistics for all players reflect only games played with the Whalers.

Goaltenders

Player	MIN	GP	W	L	T	GA	GAA	SO
Raeder, CapCap Raeder	1328	26	12	10	1	69	3.12	2
Landon, BruceBruce Landon	1118	23	8	8	1	59	3.17	1
Abrahamsson, ChristerChrister Abrahamsson	2484	45	15	22	4	159	3.84	0

Awards and Records

• Lou Kaplan Trophy (Rookie of the Year): George Lyle
• Paul Deneau Trophy (Most Gentlemenly): Dave Keon

Draft Picks

New England's draft picks at the 1976 WHA Amateur Draft.

Round	#	Player	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
2	13	Mike Fidler (LW)	USA	Boston University Terriers (ECAC)
3	26	Fred Williams (C)	Canada	Saskatoon Blades (WCHL)
3	31	Dave Debol (C)	USA	Michigan Wolverines (WCHA)
4	38	Mike Kaszycki (F)	Canada	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHA)
5	49	Bill Baker (D)	USA	Minnesota Golden Gophers (WCHA)
5	50	Mike Liut (G)	Canada	Bowling Green Falcons (CCHA)
6	62	Dwight Schofield (D)	Canada	London Knights (OHA)
7	74	Warren Young (F)	Canada	Michigan Tech Huskies (WCHA)
8	86	Ken Morrow (D)	USA	Bowling Green Falcons (CCHA)
9	97	Ed Clarey (F)	Canada	Cornwall Royals (QMJHL)
10	108	Jon Hammond (LW)	Canada	Regina Pats (WCHL)

Farm Teams

• Rhode Island Reds, NAHL

See Also

• 1976–77 WHA season

References

• 1976–77 New England Whalers Games. Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved on 2009-05-21.